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Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1931, Page 3

are not typical df the rank arid file < ' the Reform party. “We have not referred' to all the curious miscalculations and impracticable proposals submitted from the back benches;” it emphasizes,! “Wef have merely given some samples of the type- of criticism which is misleading and damaging Something better is expected 'from the Reform Party. The leaders of the party : have given something ■ better. Their criticism has: been moderate arid helpful. Why should the back-bench-ers take a different line, copying the : extravagant and irresponsible criticism i. of • the Labour Party Ts it that they •fail to ! recpgxiisb' tlie duty which their leader, has .promised to perform—'help rather than to hinder? Are they anxious to see the Labour hopes realised ?” These queries which, no doubt • will he appropriately answered in the near future. Their constituents, i [F not the oommunitv at large, have a I right to know where these hack-hench-li efs stand.

1 The cross examination of ! Detective Murray continued for some time, during which witness said accused was sitting in th© detective office all day smoking .arid reading. He made himself at home. He was accompanied when lie left the room.

Detective Murray then told Mr Macessey that after taking the first statement lie told Coats that lie would like to go through his room and make some inquiries. Coats assured them that the girl had gone to some friends’ place. After they had got Coats some dinner witness and Constable Smith and Coats went to the room lie was then occupying, where certain articles were found, and then to a room in Adelaide lload,. where they made inquiries. When they got back to the detective office they interviewed him further. Coats had tea there and sat smoking-and reading most of the time, while witness went out, made further inquiries and returned late at night. Chats then made a further statement in connection with- those further inquiries. At the end of the statement Coats signed the whole statement and said it was true. He also thanked witness for the fair treatment he had given him. “Throughout the whole of these interviews,” witness said, “lie was not cautioned, because I did not know lie was going to be charged. The charge that was laid was with attempting to supply a noxious tiling for the purpose of procuring miscarriage.” . .. • QUESTION OF ADMISSIBILITY. : At this stage the ' Magistrate ’’said lie wished to hear evidence from o,instable .Smith before deciding upon theadmissibility of the. statement.,, . The Court .adjourned until Mrindity morning. . Copies of the statements willbe available to Mr Treadwell, who said he thought- .counsel for , the defpnee-* •were entitled to the intervening time for consideration of the, legal Aspect of. the admissibility of the statements.